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A line of tourists in parkas walks down a snowy slope on the Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, toward station buildings and an expedition ship anchored in the bay

King George Island

Antarctica's fly-cruise gateway: how the gravel airstrip at Chile's Frei base works and how often flights slip, the fares, the research stations, what visitors see, the weather and the day trip.

LBM1948, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

What is King George Island, and how do you visit it?

King George Island is the largest of Antarctica's South Shetland Islands, 43 miles (69 km) long, and the hub for fly-cruises: in 2025-26, 170 southbound flights landed on its gravel airstrip at Chile's Frei base, carrying passengers for 126 voyages. It also hosts nine year-round research stations. Most visitors only cross it by bus to their ship.

Facts checked October 15, 2026 against 35 sources.

King George Island at a glance

Map showing King George IslandKing George Island, 62°05′S, 58°18′WKing George IslandSouth Shetland Islands, 62°00′S, 58°00′WSouth Shetland Islands
  1. July: no trips
  2. August: no trips
  3. September: no trips
  4. October: no trips
  5. November: in season
  6. December: in season
  7. January: best
  8. February: best
  9. March: in season
  10. April: no trips
  11. May: no trips
  12. June: no trips

Best Season

Type
Island
Location
62°05′S, 58°18′W
Part of
South Shetland Islands
Season
Fly-cruises and DAP's day trips run from about November to March; January and February average 34 to 35°F (1°C) at Bellingshausen, and around the December solstice the sun is up for nearly 20 hours.
Best months
January to February
Getting there
A charter flight of about two hours from Punta Arenas (Antarctica21, Quark, Aurora, Atlas) or Puerto Natales (Lindblad), or about 1.5 hours from Puerto Williams (Silversea), to the Teniente Marsh gravel airstrip at Frei base, then a bus and a Zodiac to the ship; DAP also sells a one-day trip from Punta Arenas for USD 7,060.
Wildlife
Adélie and chinstrap penguins at Penguin Island and Turret Point, gentoos and Adélies on Ardley Island, southern giant petrels, blue-eyed shags, and elephant and Weddell seals; DAP's day trip visits an elephant seal colony.
Landings
Fly-cruise passengers board by Zodiac from a rocky beach near the airstrip. Penguin Island and Turret Point allow 100 visitors ashore, Ardley Island 20; tours at Arctowski station are suspended during construction.

King George Island is the largest of the South Shetland Islands, 43 miles (69 km) long and 16 miles (26 km) wide.12 It is also unusually busy for Antarctica. Nine of the 43 year-round research stations on COMNAP's list of national facilities are here,3 and so is the gravel airstrip where fly-cruise passengers land. In 2025-26, 170 southbound flights into that airstrip supported 126 air-cruise voyages carrying 11,764 passengers.4

Is King George Island part of Antarctica?

Yes. It lies at about 62°S, inside the Antarctic Treaty area, which covers everything south of 60° South.56 It is an island, not part of the mainland. The Bransfield Strait, about 60 miles (97 km) wide, separates the South Shetlands from the Antarctic Peninsula.7 Admiralty Bay, on the island's south coast, is about 78 miles (125 km) from the northern tip of the Peninsula.8

William Smith discovered the island and roughly charted its north coast on October 16, 1819. The UK gazetteer of Antarctic place names calls it "the site of the first landing in Antarctica" and says it was named after King George IV.1

How do fly-cruises land on King George Island?

On a gravel runway at Chile's Frei base, then by bus and Zodiac to the ship. The strip is the Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin aerodrome, 4,239 by 128 ft (1,292 by 39 m), 147 ft (45 m) above sea level and 0.9 miles (1.5 km) northwest of Villa Las Estrellas.9 It belongs to the Presidente Eduardo Frei base complex on the Fildes Peninsula, which the Chilean Air Force runs.5 The first aircraft landed on the runway on February 12, 1980, and the first C-130 followed on March 22, 1980.10

Which airport you fly from depends on the operator. Three Chilean towns have charters to the island:

GatewayWho flies from itFlight to King George Island
Punta ArenasAntarctica21, Quark, Aurora and Atlas fly-cruises; DAP's day trip1511122028About two hours; Aurora quotes one hour 45 minutes1112
Puerto NatalesLindblad2About two hours2
Puerto WilliamsSilversea, after a 3.5-hour charter from Santiago and a night at its hotel there35About 1.5 hours35

DAP, which Lindblad and Antarctica21 both name as their flight partner, says its four-engine BAe jets fly with only 70 passengers in Antarctic configuration; Lindblad's FAQ says 74.14213

"There is no airport on the island," Antarctica21 points out.13 You walk down the aircraft stairs onto gravel and take a bus about a mile to the shore. From a rocky beach, a Zodiac takes you to the ship.2 On the way, the bus passes Chile's Frei and Russia's Bellingshausen stations.15

Weather decides the day. Aurora says take-off and landing need "a clear sky with perfect visibility".12 Antarctica21 has published its record of 346 flights up to April 2025, with delays caused by low cloud, fog, snow, ice and strong wind at King George Island:13

Flight left13FlightsShare
On the scheduled day26476%
A day early268%
One day late4012%
Two days late134%
Three days late31%

Roughly one flight in six left late, by our arithmetic, so leave slack before any onward flight home. The operators' rules on a grounded flight are similar. Lindblad keeps trying until 2 p.m. on day 3 and otherwise cancels the trip, refunding the cruise fare and the charter; a late flight back simply keeps you on the ship, and Lindblad tells guests to book onward flights from Puerto Natales no earlier than 1 p.m. on the last day.2 Silversea tries for up to three days, with the same 2 p.m. cut-off and full refund.35 The fly or sail the Drake guide weighs the trade-off.

Which cruises fly to King George Island, and what do they cost?

Lindblad carried the most fly-cruise passengers in 2025-26, and Antarctica21 ran the most voyages. These are our totals from IAATO's list of air-cruise ships:4

OperatorShipsAir-cruise voyages, 2025-26Passengers
Lindblad ExpeditionsNational Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Orion313,901
Antarctica21Magellan Explorer, Ocean Nova342,383
SilverseaSilver Cloud, Silver Endeavour, Silver Wind102,262
Quark ExpeditionsOcean Explorer, World Explorer111,394
Aurora ExpeditionsGreg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle8877
Atlas Ocean VoyagesWorld Navigator, World Voyager5698

The order flips for the season you can book now. IAATO's preliminary 2026-27 estimates put Silversea first, with 24 air-cruise voyages and 4,594 passengers, about a third of the 13,498 expected; Lindblad follows with 3,285 and Antarctica21 plans the most voyages, 38.4

The lowest 2026-27 fares we could book on the operators' own sites, per person, read October 14 and 15, 2026:

TripDaysLowest open fareNotes
Antarctica21, Antarctica Express Air-Cruise, Magellan Explorer, November 17, 20266$7,495, one male-share berth in a Veranda Cabin; the $5,995 Triple Suite was sold out16Sails south from Ushuaia, calling at Puerto Williams and Cape Horn, and flies north from King George Island to Punta Arenas17
Lindblad, Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage, November 25, 20268$12,217, Category 3 with three sharing: $9,217 plus the required $3,000 flights18Flights to and from Puerto Natales2
Silversea, Fly the Drake, Silver Endeavour, October 20, 20266$13,000, Veranda Suite, Last-Minute fare19Round trip from King George Island; charters from Santiago via Puerto Williams and hotel nights included1935
Atlas, Drake Express, World Traveller, December 14, 20268$17,276, Veranda Suite, after 20% Bonus Savings, including $385 of taxes20Charters to and from Punta Arenas and a hotel night there at each end included20
Quark, Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake, World Voyager, December 1, 20268$19,695 brochure fare, Infinity Suite, 2 cabins left; a 10% promo code was shown21Charter flights and Punta Arenas hotel nights included11

Quark also sells an 11-day fly-cruise that tries to cross the Antarctic Circle.22 For whole-trip budgets, see how much an Antarctica trip costs and flights to Antarctica.

What do visitors actually see on King George Island?

On a fly-cruise, usually not much: an airstrip, station buildings from a bus window, and a beach. Then the ship sails for the Peninsula.215 Lindblad notes that researchers from the US, Chile, Argentina and Brazil, among others, live at the island's stations.23

Ships that stop here use a handful of sites:

  • Penguin Island, off the east end, is 1 mile (1.6 km) long with a 560 ft (170 m) volcanic cone, Deacon Peak. Adélie and chinstrap penguins and southern giant petrels breed there, and elephant and Weddell seals haul out.24
  • Turret Point, at the east end of King George Bay, has conspicuous rock stacks, Adélie and chinstrap penguins and blue-eyed shags.25
  • Ardley Island in Maxwell Bay has gentoo and Adélie penguins on one beach. Only 20 visitors may be ashore at once, and the rest of the island is a protected area that needs a permit.26
  • In Admiralty Bay, tourists have usually landed at Poland's Arctowski or Brazil's Ferraz station for a tour. Tourist visits to Arctowski are suspended until construction work there is finished.8

Admiralty Bay drew 17,046 passengers in 2019-20, and most stayed aboard or cruised in small boats.8 Landings at the three guideline sites were few in 2025-26: Penguin Island 12, Turret Point 8 and Ardley Island 4.27

Villa Las Estrellas, the Chilean settlement next to Frei, was inaugurated on April 9, 1984. Its first 18 residents arrived that February. Chilean families lived there until 2018, and it is now part of the Frei air base.10 DAP describes it as "the first site inhabited by civilians".28

Can you visit King George Island without a cruise?

Yes, on DAP's Full Day Antarctica from Punta Arenas. It costs USD 7,060 per person, including the embarkation fee.29 The 2026-27 season has eight departures: December 4 and 18, January 6 and 19, February 9 and 18, and March 4 and 16.29 After the two-hour flight, a guide spends about five hours showing you Villa Las Estrellas, the Orthodox church at Bellingshausen, China's Great Wall station and an elephant seal colony. A boat trip to the Collins Glacier is included when the weather allows.2814

The package includes four hotel nights with breakfast, and DAP asks travelers to allow a three-day flight window for weather. If the flight is cancelled for weather, DAP refunds the fare minus a non-refundable 20%.30

How many people live on King George Island?

Only station and base staff: up to about 650 people across 11 research stations from nine countries, by our sum of the peak populations on COMNAP's list, plus 15 at the Marsh airfield camp.3 No families have lived at Villa Las Estrellas since 2018.10

StationCountryOpenedSeasonPeak population
Presidente Eduardo FreiChile1969Year-round150
CarliniArgentina1953Year-round80
King SejongSouth Korea1988Year-round78
Comandante FerrazBrazil1984Year-round64
Great WallChina1985Year-round60
ArtigasUruguay1984Year-round50
BellingshausenRussia1968Year-round40
Henryk ArctowskiPoland1977Year-round40
Bahía Fildes Maritime StationChilenot listedYear-roundnot listed
Professor Julio EscuderoChile1995Seasonal60
Machu PicchuPeru1989Seasonal30

Carlini opened in 1953 as the Caleta Potter refuge, became Jubany station in 1954 and took its present name in 2012.31 An accident in the summer of 2012 destroyed 70% of Ferraz, and its replacement opened in January 2020 with room for 64 people.8 Chile's science agency INACH says Escudero, which COMNAP lists as seasonal, has been formally permanent since 2025.32

What is the weather like on King George Island?

Near freezing in summer and only moderately cold in winter. These are our averages of the 2011 to 2025 monthly means at Bellingshausen station:33

MonthAverageMonthAverage
January34°F (1.3°C)July24°F (-4.7°C)
February35°F (1.4°C)August22°F (-5.4°C)
March33°F (0.7°C)September25°F (-4.1°C)
April30°F (-1.3°C)October28°F (-2.4°C)
May27°F (-2.5°C)November30°F (-1.0°C)
June24°F (-4.3°C)December32°F (0.3°C)

February is the warmest month and August the coldest. The year averages 29°F (-1.8°C).33 Around the December solstice the sun is up for nearly 20 hours, and the sky never gets darker than civil twilight.34 Season by season detail is in Antarctica weather by month.

Voyages that visit King George Island

Landings depend on weather and ice, so no operator can promise a specific site.

  • Antarctica Express Air-Cruise (6 days, sail south and fly north, Magellan Explorer)

    Antarctica21 · Magellan Explorer · 6 days · Ushuaia, Argentina to Punta Arenas, Chile (flight from King George Island included) · Fly one way · November

    Fare details

    Magellan Explorer, Nov 17 to 22, 2026: $5,995 per person in a Triple Suite shared by three (reserved when read); Porthole Cabin $6,795, Veranda $7,495 and Deluxe Veranda $7,795 per person, two sharing. Open when read: one Deluxe Veranda at $7,795 and one berth in a men's shared Veranda Cabin at $7,495. Sails from Ushuaia via Puerto Williams and Cape Horn (landing weather permitting) across the Drake Passage; includes the flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas and one hotel night there. If the return flight is delayed, the ship keeps cruising with full board until it can fly, and if the delay passes two days with no flight in sight may sail back to South America; no refund either way. Read Oct 15, 2026.

    from $5,995about $999 a day

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  • Antarctica Express Air-Cruise (fly south and sail north, Magellan Discoverer)

    Antarctica21 · 7 days · Punta Arenas, Chile (flight to King George Island included) to Ushuaia, Argentina · Fly one way · March

    Fare details

    Magellan Discoverer, Mar 4 to 10, 2027 (the itinerary page calls the trip 6 days and 5 nights; the booking engine dates span 7 days): $6,795 per person in a Triple Veranda Suite shared by three (reserved when read); Deluxe Veranda $8,495 per person, two sharing (all reserved). Open in the booking engine when read (the itinerary page's departure list marked it Sold Out): one berth in a women's shared Deluxe Veranda at $8,495 and two Grand Veranda Suites at $9,995 per person. Includes the flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island; the ship returns via Cape Horn and Puerto Williams to Ushuaia. Cruise fare refunded if the outbound flight cannot leave by 2 PM on day 4. Read Oct 15, 2026.

    from $6,795about $971 a day

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  • Antarctica: Sail & Fly the Drake Passage (9 days, Silver Wind)

    Silversea · 9 days · Puerto Williams, Chile (Santiago hotel night and charter flight from Santiago included) to King George Island, Antarctica (flight to Puerto Williams, a night at The Cormorant at 55 South and the charter to Santiago included) · Fly one way · October to November, January to March

    Fare details

    Silversea's lowest Antarctic fare of the season: $9,000 per guest, two sharing, Oceanview Suite (240 sq ft), Last-Minute fare (paid in full, non-refundable), Oct 20, 2026; Veranda Suites $10,300. Later departures cost $14,300 to $22,400. The same route run the other way (fly south, sail north) starts at $9,700 on Oct 29, 2026. Includes the Santiago hotel night, charter flights, a night at The Cormorant at 55 South, drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and expedition activities. Read Oct 15, 2026.

    from $9,000about $1,000 a day

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  • Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage (8 days)

    Lindblad Expeditions · National Geographic Explorer · 8 days · Puerto Natales, Chile (flight to King George Island included) to Puerto Natales, Chile (flight from King George Island included) · Fly both ways · November to February

    Fare details

    Lowest published fare: $12,600 per person, Category 1 window cabin, two sharing, on National Geographic Explorer, Nov 25, 2026, made up of $9,600 plus the required $3,000 flights between Puerto Natales and King George Island. That category was sold out when read Oct 14, 2026; the cheapest open cabins were a Category 3 on Nov 25 at $14,060 with flights (three sharing, $12,217 each) and a Category 1 on Dec 14 at $15,589. Includes the flights, a Puerto Natales hotel night before and after, meals, drinks, crew gratuities and kayaking. Other departures start as high as $21,000 with flights.

    from $12,600about $1,575 a day

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  • Antarctica: Fly the Drake Passage (6 days, Silver Endeavour)

    Silversea · Silver Endeavour · 6 days · King George Island, Antarctica (Santiago hotel night, charter to Puerto Williams, a night at The Cormorant at 55 South and the flight to King George Island included) to King George Island, Antarctica (flight to Puerto Williams, a night at The Cormorant at 55 South and the charter to Santiago included) · Fly both ways · October to February

    Fare details

    Lowest fare of the season: $13,000 per guest, two sharing, Veranda Suite (355 sq ft), Last-Minute fare (paid in full, non-refundable), Oct 20, 2026. The lowest All-Inclusive Plus fare is $22,400 (Nov 7, 2026); other open departures cost $22,700 to $34,100, and four were waitlisted. Every fare includes the hotel nights and flights from Santiago via Puerto Williams, drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi, expedition gear and guided Zodiac, hiking and kayaking outings. International flights cost extra. Read Oct 15, 2026.

    from $13,000about $2,167 a day

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  • Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage

    Lindblad Expeditions · National Geographic Explorer · 10 days · Ushuaia, Argentina (a reverse version starts in Puerto Natales) to Puerto Natales, Chile (flight from King George Island included) · Fly one way · November to February

    Fare details

    Lowest published fare: $14,500 per person, Category 1 window cabin, two sharing, on National Geographic Explorer, Nov 18, 2026, made up of $13,000 plus the required $1,500 one-way flight from King George Island to Puerto Natales. Category 1 was sold out when read Oct 15, 2026, and only one cabin, a Category 5 at $21,420 with the flight, was left on that departure; Dec 19 and Dec 26 were sold out entirely. The cheapest open cabin was a Category 3 on Jan 7, 2027 at $18,240 with the flight (three sharing, $15,450 each). Includes an Ushuaia hotel night before, a Puerto Natales hotel night after, the flight, meals, drinks, crew gratuities and kayaking. Nine departures, Nov 18, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027; Lindblad publishes the route both ways, and its booking data gives Dec 19, Jan 7, Jan 26 and Feb 14 a different itinerary code from the Ushuaia start, so check the direction when booking; the page headline of $12,250 is a 2027-28 fare.

    from $14,500about $1,450 a day

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  • Antarctic Explorer Express

    Aurora Expeditions · Douglas Mawson · 9 days · Ushuaia, Argentina (hotel night included) to Punta Arenas, Chile (flight from King George Island and hotel night included) · Fly one way · January

    Fare details

    Lowest published fare: Aurora Stateroom Triple (porthole), $15,895 per person with three sharing, on Douglas Mawson, Jan 7, 2027, the only departure; sold out when read Oct 14, 2026, as was every cabin below the Balcony Stateroom Category A, the cheapest still for sale at $20,095 per person, two sharing. Sails the Drake Passage south from Ushuaia and flies back from King George Island to Punta Arenas. Includes an Ushuaia hotel night, the flight, a Punta Arenas hotel night, meals and drinks.

    from $15,895about $1,766 a day

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  • Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise (8 days, Magellan Explorer)

    Antarctica21 · Magellan Explorer · 8 days · Punta Arenas, Chile (flight to King George Island included) to Punta Arenas, Chile (flight from King George Island included) · Fly both ways · November to March

    Fare details

    Lowest 2026-27 fare on Magellan Explorer: $15,995 per person, Porthole Cabin, two sharing, on the Nov 20, 2026 and Mar 2, 2027 departures (both Porthole Cabins reserved when read). December to February departures start at $18,995 and the Dec 20 to 30 departures at $19,995; four of the 17 departures were sold out. The cheapest open cabin was a Deluxe Veranda at $21,995 per person on Mar 2, 2027. Includes the flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island, two Punta Arenas hotel nights with breakfast, the welcome dinner, transfers, meals with wine, beer and soft drinks on board, boot loan and the IAATO fee. Cruise fare refunded if the outbound flight cannot leave by 2 PM on day 4. No 2026-27 promotion. Read Oct 15, 2026.

    from $15,995about $1,999 a day

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  • Drake Express (World Traveller)

    Atlas Ocean Voyages · World Traveller · 8 days · Punta Arenas, Chile (hotel night and charter flight to King George Island included) to Punta Arenas, Chile (charter flight from King George Island and a hotel night included) · Fly both ways · December

    Fare details

    Veranda Suite (V2) on World Traveller, Dec 14, 2026: $17,276 per guest, two sharing, after 20% Bonus Savings, with $385 in government taxes and fees included; read Oct 15, 2026. Explorer's Choice fares are valid through Dec 31, 2026. On the Dec 7 departure only Reserve Collection suites showed fares, from $24,076. Includes Punta Arenas hotel nights before and after, both charter flights and a Punta Arenas dinner with pisco sours and lamb al asador. Five Peninsula days and a day in the Antarctic Sound are planned.

    from $17,276about $2,160 a day

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  • Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise (18 days, fly south and sail north, Magellan Explorer)

    Antarctica21 · Magellan Explorer · 18 days · Punta Arenas, Chile (flight to King George Island included) to Ushuaia, Argentina · Fly one way · March

    Fare details

    Magellan Explorer, Mar 7 to 24, 2027: $17,995 per person, Porthole Cabin, two sharing (reserved when read); Veranda $21,995, Deluxe Veranda $23,995, Deluxe Suite $26,995. The only cabin open when read was a Penthouse Suite at $28,995 per person. Includes the flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, one Punta Arenas hotel night with breakfast, the welcome dinner, transfers, and meals and drinks on board; ends with the sea crossing from South Georgia to Ushuaia. Flight attempts continue until 2 PM on day 6, then the cruise fare is refunded. Read Oct 15, 2026.

    from $17,995about $1,000 a day

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  • Drake Fly & Sail (World Traveller)

    Atlas Ocean Voyages · World Traveller · 10 days · Ushuaia, Argentina (Buenos Aires hotel night and charter flight to Ushuaia included) to King George Island, Antarctica (charter flight to Punta Arenas and a Punta Arenas hotel night included) · Fly one way · November

    Fare details

    Horizon Suite (H1) on World Traveller, Nov 28, 2026, the only departure: $18,499 per guest, two sharing, with $495 in government taxes and fees included; read Oct 15, 2026. Sails south across the Drake Passage, plans five Peninsula days and a day in the Antarctic Sound, then flies north from King George Island. The flight allows one checked bag of up to 42 lb (19 kg) and an 11 lb (5 kg) carry-on.

    from $18,499about $1,850 a day

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  • Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise (8 days, Magellan Discoverer)

    Antarctica21 · 8 days · Punta Arenas, Chile (flight to King George Island included) to Punta Arenas, Chile (flight from King George Island included) · Fly both ways · December to February

    Fare details

    Magellan Discoverer, 12 departures from Dec 22, 2026 to Feb 27, 2027. Lowest fare $19,495 per person in a Triple Veranda Suite shared by three, Feb 27, 2027 (reserved when read). With two sharing, the lowest was a Deluxe Veranda at $23,795 on Feb 27 (nine open) and $27,995 on the January and February departures; Grand Veranda Suites cost $28,795 to $33,795 outside the holidays. The Dec 22 and Dec 27 departures (from $24,795) were sold out. Includes the flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island, two Punta Arenas hotel nights with breakfast, the welcome dinner, transfers, and meals and drinks on board. Cruise fare refunded if the outbound flight cannot leave by 2 PM on day 4. The ship is new; its first guests sail on Dec 15, 2026. Read Oct 15, 2026.

    from $19,495about $2,437 a day

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  • Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake (World Voyager)

    Quark Expeditions · World Voyager · 8 days · Punta Arenas, Chile (charter flight to King George Island) to Punta Arenas, Chile · Fly both ways · December, February

    Fare details

    Lowest published 2026-27 brochure fare: Infinity Suite on World Voyager, Dec 1 and Dec 6, 2026, $19,695 per person (Dec 1 had 2 cabins left; Dec 6 was marked Please Call); promo codes of 10% to 15% not applied; includes charter flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island, a briefing dinner and Punta Arenas hotel nights before and after; spirits not included; read Oct 14, 2026

    from $19,695about $2,462 a day

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  • Antarctica & the Falklands: Sail & Fly the Drake Passage (13 days, Silver Endeavour)

    Silversea · Silver Endeavour · 13 days · King George Island, Antarctica (Santiago hotel night, charter to Puerto Williams, a night at The Cormorant at 55 South and the flight to King George Island included) to Puerto Williams, Chile (charter flight to Santiago included) · Fly one way · January

    Fare details

    $23,600 per guest, two sharing, Veranda Suite, Last-Minute fare (paid in full, non-refundable), Jan 2, 2027, the only departure. All-Inclusive Plus fares carry Save $5,000 and Save an extra $1,000 offers that expire Nov 2, 2026 (Residence $43,000, was $46,000) and are 50% refundable until Nov 2. Includes the flights and hotel nights to King George Island, the charter home from Puerto Williams, drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi, expedition gear and guided Zodiac, hiking and kayaking outings. Read Oct 15, 2026.

    from $23,600about $1,815 a day

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  • Antarctic Peninsula: Fly the Drake

    Aurora Expeditions · Douglas Mawson · 8 days · Punta Arenas, Chile (charter flight to King George Island) to Punta Arenas, Chile (charter flight from King George Island) · Fly both ways · January

    Fare details

    Lowest published fare, Aurora Stateroom Triple, one berth, on Douglas Mawson, Jan 13, 2027, sold out when read on Oct 14, 2026; twin cabins from $25,395 per person. Only 2026-27 departure; Aurora lists the trip at 8 days, but this departure is dated Jan 13 to 22, 2027. Includes return charter flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island, two hotel nights in Punta Arenas and drinks.

    from $24,595about $3,074 a day

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  • Polar Circle Air-Cruise (10 days, Magellan Explorer)

    Antarctica21 · Magellan Explorer · 10 days · Punta Arenas, Chile (flight to King George Island included) to Punta Arenas, Chile (flight from King George Island included) · Fly both ways · February

    Fare details

    Magellan Explorer, Feb 13 to 22, 2027: $24,995 per person, Porthole Cabin, two sharing; one Porthole Cabin and two shared Porthole berths (one for men, one for women) were open when read. Veranda $29,795, Deluxe Veranda $31,995 (11 open), Penthouse Suite $38,995. Includes the flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island, two Punta Arenas hotel nights with breakfast, the welcome dinner, transfers, and meals and drinks on board. Flight attempts continue until 2 PM on day 5, then the cruise fare is refunded. Read Oct 15, 2026.

    from $24,995about $2,500 a day

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  • Antarctic Express: Fly South, Sail North (Ocean Explorer)

    Quark Expeditions · Ocean Explorer · 9 days · Punta Arenas, Chile (charter flight to King George Island) to Ushuaia, Argentina · Fly one way · February

    Fare details

    Lowest fare on sale, Studio Single on Ocean Explorer, Feb 3, 2027 (one cabin left when read; every shared cabin, from the $17,695 Triple Suite up, was sold out); a 10% promo code was shown with no end date; includes a Punta Arenas hotel night, a briefing dinner and the flight to King George Island; read Oct 15, 2026

    from $28,595about $3,177 a day

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  • Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle (Ocean Explorer)

    Quark Expeditions · Ocean Explorer · 11 days · Punta Arenas, Chile (charter flight to King George Island) to Punta Arenas, Chile · Fly both ways · January

    Fare details

    Lowest published brochure fare, Triple Suite on Ocean Explorer, Jan 22, 2027 (marked Please Call when read; the lowest cabin bookable online was a Veranda Suite at $36,195); includes flights to and from King George Island and a Punta Arenas hotel night before and after; read Oct 15, 2026

    from $29,095about $2,645 a day

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  • Polar Circle Air-Cruise (10 days, Magellan Discoverer)

    Antarctica21 · 10 days · Punta Arenas, Chile (flight to King George Island included) to Punta Arenas, Chile (flight from King George Island included) · Fly both ways · February

    Fare details

    Magellan Discoverer, Feb 5 to 14, 2027: $29,795 per person in a Triple Veranda Suite shared by three (reserved when read); Deluxe Veranda $34,995 per person, two sharing (ten open, plus one women's shared berth); Grand Veranda Suite $42,995. Includes the flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island, two Punta Arenas hotel nights with breakfast, the welcome dinner, transfers, and meals and drinks on board. Flight attempts continue until 2 PM on day 5, then the cruise fare is refunded. Read Oct 15, 2026.

    from $29,795about $2,980 a day

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Lowest published price per person in the operator's currency, checked October 15, 2026. Taxes, flights and single supplements vary.

Wildlife at King George Island

Chinstrap penguin

Chinstrap penguin facts for travelers: how many there are and where they breed, the South Shetland colonies ships land at and which ships may land, when the chicks hatch, the voyages that list them, and why numbers are falling.

Plan the trip

How many days do you need in Antarctica?

Trip lengths and the days you actually spend in Antarctica, counted from each line's day-by-day itinerary for 2026-27: fly-cruises, two-day Drake crossings, the Antarctic Circle, South Georgia and the longest voyages.

What to pack for Antarctica: the packing list, and what the ship lends you

An Antarctica packing list built from eight cruise lines' own lists, with what each one gives or lends, the waterproof pants most require, biosecurity rules and the luggage limits on flights south.

Sources

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  3. 3.COMNAP Antarctic Facilities List (November 2024), Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP). Accessed October 15, 2026.
  4. 4.IAATO Overview of Antarctic Vessel Tourism: The 2025-26 Season, and Preliminary Estimates for 2026-27 (ATCM 48 IP 200 rev. 1), International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). Accessed October 14, 2026.
  5. 5.Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva, Instituto Antártico Chileno (INACH), Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Government of Chile. Accessed October 15, 2026.
  6. 6.The Antarctic Treaty (1959), text, Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty. Accessed October 15, 2026.
  7. 7.Bransfield Strait (Gazetteer of the British Antarctic Territory, ID 107929), UK Antarctic Place-names Committee, via the SCAR Composite Gazetteer of Antarctica (Australian Antarctic Data Centre). Accessed October 15, 2026.
  8. 8.Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Managed Area No 1, Admiralty Bay, King George Island (Measure 1 (2023)), Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty. Accessed October 15, 2026.
  9. 9.Aeródromo Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin/Antártica (SCRM): IFIS aerodrome page and AIP-Chile Vol. I AD 3.1-85, Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC), Government of Chile. Accessed October 15, 2026.
  10. 10.Antártica: presencia y operación institucional (IV Brigada Aérea), with Villa Las Estrellas, Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh), Government of Chile. Accessed October 15, 2026.
  11. 11.Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake (itinerary, departures, prices and inclusions), Quark Expeditions. Accessed October 14, 2026.
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  16. 16.Find Your Expedition: every 2026-27 and 2027-28 departure with per-cabin prices and availability, Antarctica21. Accessed October 15, 2026.
  17. 17.Antarctica Express Air-Cruise, Antarctica21. Accessed October 15, 2026.
  18. 18.Find Dates and Rates: polar departures October 2026 to July 2027, Lindblad Expeditions. Accessed October 14, 2026.
  19. 19.Antarctica: Fly the Drake Passage: King George Island to King George Island, Silver Endeavour, Oct 20 to 26, 2026 (voyage EV261020006), Silversea Cruises. Accessed October 15, 2026.
  20. 20.Drake Express: 7-Night King George Island Roundtrip, Dec 14, 2026 (World Traveller), Atlas Ocean Voyages. Accessed October 15, 2026.
  21. 21.Dates and Rates, Quark Expeditions. Accessed October 14, 2026.
  22. 22.Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle, Quark Expeditions. Accessed October 15, 2026.
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  24. 24.Site Guidelines for Visitors: Penguin Island, King George Island (ATCM, 2018), Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty. Accessed October 15, 2026.
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  26. 26.Site Guidelines for Visitors: Northeast beach of Ardley Island, Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty. Accessed October 15, 2026.
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  28. 28.Antarctic Adventure / Full Day Antarctica, Aerovías DAP. Accessed October 15, 2026.
  29. 29.Programas Antárticos Temporada 2026-2027 / Antarctic Programs Season 2026-2027 (rate sheet), Aerovías DAP. Accessed October 15, 2026.
  30. 30.Full Day Antarctica Terms and Conditions (bilingual), Aerovías DAP (DAP Antártica). Accessed October 15, 2026.
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  33. 33.READER monthly mean surface air temperature: Bellingshausen (WMO 89050), British Antarctic Survey (READER project). Accessed October 14, 2026.
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  35. 35.Antarctica Fly Cruise Practical Guide, including the Antarctica Fly Cruise Policy, Silversea Cruises. Accessed October 15, 2026.